Gambling is basically illegal
or restricted in India. There is, however, widespread illegal
gambling and wagering occurring throughout the country. Currently
there are only two India states — Goa and Sikkim —
that currently allow legal casino gambling. Sikkim has one
casino while there are a total of 12 in Goa. Interestingly,
5 of these casinos in Goa are floating casinos located on
the Mandovi River.

Other types of legal gambling in India include
lotteries and wagering on horse racing. Currently online gambling
and betting are in infancy stages with only a few licenses available.

Recently, an India court in New Delhi stated that
it thought that betting on sports, such as cricket, should be legalized.
The court said that law enforcement is not currently curbing illegal
gambling. It also said that with the legalization of gambling the
Indian government would be able to use gambling revenues to help
the public.

The court said that the media reported that about
$427 million (U.S currency) had been passed through the illegal
betting systems. The court also pointed out that during sports events
that perhaps as many as 3,000 illegal bookies were taking wagers,
and that because of such high numbers it is improbable that the
police have no knowledge of these activities. It was very critical
of the police for ignoring these activities.

Reports out of India state that the Indian police
force feel that the fight against illegal gambling is a losing battle
due to the inadequate Indian laws currently on the books. There
appears to be a move toward legalizing gambling to expand outside
of the 2 states that now have casinos and other types of gambling.
It may well be that the government will be doing sportsbook reviews
and other investigations about legalizing gambling within the country.